Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions

Abstract

Multi-mode computing systems for point of sale transactions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a computing system includes a first housing and a processing device disposed in the first housing. A user interface and a first input/output interface is integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device. The first input/output interface is configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device. A second housing is configured to carry the first housing. An attachment mechanism is configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing. A second input/output interface is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached. A power source is connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computing system comprising:
 a first housing; 
 a processing device disposed in the first housing; 
 a user interface and a first input/output interface integrated with the first housing and in communication with the processing device, the first input/output interface configured to receive power for delivery to the processing device; 
 a second housing configured to carry the first housing; 
 an attachment mechanism configured to selectively attach together the first housing and the second housing for carry of the first housing by the second housing; 
 a second input/output interface configured to be communicatively coupled to the first input/output interface when the first housing and the second housing are attached; 
 a power source integrated into the second housing and connected to the second input/output interface for delivery of power to the processing device via the first input/output interface; 
 wherein the second housing comprises a cover member mechanically engaged with the attachment mechanism, and configured to be positioned in either a first position or a second position; 
 wherein in the first position, the cover member interacts with the attachment mechanism to detach the first housing from the second housing; and 
 wherein in the second position, the cover member covers the first and second input/output interfaces. 
 
     
     
       2. The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a display. 
     
     
       3. The computing system of  claim 2 , wherein the display is a touchscreen display. 
     
     
       4. The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a point of sale device. 
     
     
       5. The computing system of  claim 4 , wherein the point of sale device comprises one of a magnetic stripe reader and a display. 
     
     
       6. The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a first display including a first display screen,
 wherein the computing system comprises a second display integrated with the first housing, the second display including a second display screen, and 
 wherein the first and second display screens are oriented in substantially different directions. 
 
     
     
       7. The computing system of  claim 1 , further comprising an input/output device integrated into the first housing, and
 wherein the cover member is positioned to cover the input/output device when the first housing and the second housing are attached. 
 
     
     
       8. The computing device of  claim 7 , wherein the processing device is configured to:
 determine that the first housing and the second housing are attached; and 
 disable the input/output device in response to determining that the first housing and the second housing are attached. 
 
     
     
       9. The computing device of  claim 7 , wherein the processing device is configured to:
 determine that the first housing and the second housing are detached; and 
 enable the input/output device in response to determining that the first housing and the second housing are detached. 
 
     
     
       10. The computing device of  claim 7 , wherein the input/output device is a speaker. 
     
     
       11. The computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the second housing defines an opening for access to the first and second input/output interfaces,
 wherein the cover member covers the opening in the second position, and 
 wherein the cover member is configured to be positioned in a third position such that the cover partially covers the opening. 
 
     
     
       12. The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing device comprises a memory disposed in the first housing and configured to store data. 
     
     
       13. The computing system of  claim 12 , wherein the processing device is configured to implement a point of sale function. 
     
     
       14. The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing device is configured to:
 determine whether the first housing and the second housing are attached; 
 operate in a first user interface mode when the first housing and the second housing are attached; and 
 operate in a second user interface mode when the first housing and the second housing are detached. 
 
     
     
       15. The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a first attachment mechanism configured for attachment of a first portion of the first housing to the second housing, and
 wherein the computing system further comprises a second attachment mechanism configured to attach a second portion of the first housing to a mount. 
 
     
     
       16. The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first input/output interface is configured to attach to another power source for delivery of power to the processing device when the first housing and the second housing are detached. 
     
     
       17. The computing system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more guides configured to position the first and second housings with respect to one another for attachment of the first housing to the second housing. 
     
     
       18. The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the second housing comprises a base for support of the second housing on a surface,
 wherein the computing system further comprises a pivot mechanism configured to support pivot of the second housing in a plurality of positions with respect to the first housing.